Rock Archeologia

Jimmie Spheeris - Spheeris 1984 (2000 K-Tel Records)

Artist: Jimmie Spheeris
Album: Spheeris
Label: K-Tel Records
Catalog#: 1591
Release Date: 2000
Genre: AOR, Melodic Rock
Total Time: 00:40:21

• Jimmie Spheeris певец и автор песен, грек по рождению, появился на свет 5 ноября 1949 года. Jimmie двоюродный брат Криса Сфириса (Chris Spheeris), родной брат киноактриссы Пенелопы Сфирис (Penelope Spheeris). Крис Сфирис признавался, что до сих пор не знает лучшего музыканта, чем его брат. Дебютная пластинка была достаточно успешной, чуть ли не стала предметом культа. Записал в 70е четыре альбома меланхоличных красивых поэтичных песен. В 80х начались некоторые проблемки, к 1984 году Spheeris возвращается в студию и начинает работу над новым диском. После окончания записи нового альбома, Джимми погиб под колесами грузовика с пьяным водителем...

• Jimmie Spheeris wasn't a huge name in pop rock, but he did enjoy a small cult following. While the singer/songwriter never headlined Madison Square Garden, the people who believed in his music really believed in it, and they were sorry to see him without a record deal in the late 1970s and early '80s. After recording no albums from 1977-1982, Spheeris made a long overdue return to the studio in 1983 and 1984 and recorded the excellent material heard on Spheeris. Tragically, he didn't live long enough to see the material released, Spheeris was killed by a drunken driver in 1984, and Spheeris wasn't released commercially until 2000. This CD points to the fact that Spheeris was quite willing to forge ahead in 1983 and 1984--"You Got," "Afternoon: Forever Afternoon," "You Will Be Coming Back," and other selections underscore his interest in the popular new wave sounds of the time. No, Spheeris wasn't trying to be Thomas Dolby, Duran Duran, or Soft Cell; rather, he updates his sound by incorporating new wave elements and does so in an organic, unpretentious fashion. The album never sounds forced or contrived, and Spheeris gives the impression that he really believes in the songs. Had Spheeris been released commercially in 1984 and had the singer/songwriter not met an untimely death at the age of 34, perhaps he would have been become better known. But that's only speculation; what we know for certain is that Spheeris is a pop rock jewel.
- Alex Henderson

• Tracklist:

01. Adam (4:16)
02. Jungle Sweep (3:47)
03. Afternoon: Forever Afternoon (4:31)
04. Eyes (4:21)
05. You Will Be Coming Back (3:00)
06. You Got (3:57)
07. You Must Be Laughing Somewhere (3:02)
08. Decatur Street (4:30)
09. Three in Venice (5:07)
10. Hear It (3:47)

Members:

Jimmie Spheeris - Piano, Vocals

Richard Burmer - Emulator

Charlotte Crossley,  Vida Vierra - Background Vocals

Rick Parnell - Drums, Background Vocals

Paul Delph - Vocals 

Paul Lani - Acoustic Guitar

Douglas Lunn - Bass

Technical Credits:

Paul Delph - Producer

Tony Braithwaite, Paul Lani - Engineer

Andy Markley - Liner Notes, Art Direction

Johnny Pierce - Executive Producer

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